Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
JASPER
T he cool night air wraps around us as Avery and I stroll down the quiet sidewalk, Max trotting ahead on his leash. The little guy’s tail wags furiously, his excitement over every leaf and shadow contagious. Avery’s hand is warm in mine, her fingers laced tightly with my own.
We walk in comfortable silence, the rhythm of our steps and Max’s occasional sniffs filling the space between us. The streetlights cast a soft glow. I sneak glances at her —the way her hair catches the light, the peaceful smile playing on her lips.
“This is nice,” she says softly, breaking the silence.
“It does,” I agree, squeezing her hand.
We take the long way back to her apartment, neither of us ready to let the night end. Max eventually starts to slow, his little legs probably worn out, and by the time we reach her door, he yawns as she unclips his leash.
I linger on the doorstep, my hand still in hers. I know I should go home. It’s late and this day has been perfect. But something in the way she looks at me —soft, hesitant, like she’s thinking the same thing I am— makes me pause.
“Thanks for tonight,” I say, my voice low. “For everything.”
She smiles, but there’s a flicker of something in her eyes. “I don’t want the night to end.”
My chest tightens at her admission, and before I can second-guess myself, I step closer, cupping her face with one hand. “I don’t either.”
Then I kiss her, savoring every second. She melts into me, her hands sliding up to rest on my chest. She looks up at me, her lips slightly parted and her cheeks flushed. She doesn’t say a word, just takes my hand and leads me inside.
We get Max settled in his bed and make sure his water dish is full. I’m not sure what comes next, but Avery doesn’t hesitate. She turns, her hand brushing against mine again, and leads me down the short hallway to her bedroom.
The air feels charged, every step vibrating through my chest. Neither of us speaks, but we don’t need to. The way she looks at me, and the quiet confidence in her movements, tell me everything I need to know.
When we reach her room, she pauses, her fingers lingering on mine before she pulls me in. I don’t think twice as I follow, letting the door click softly shut behind us.
Avery stands in front of me, the glow from her bedside lamp casts a warm light over her face. She looks up at me, her lips slightly parted, her cheeks flushed. I can’t help but reach for her.
I run my hands along her arms, feeling the soft fabric of her sweater under my fingers. Slowly, I tug it upward, watching her eyes flicker with anticipation as I lift it over her head. She’s wearing a simple lace bra underneath, the delicate fabric hugging her curves in a way that makes my pulse quicken.
Her jeans come next, and I take my time, unbuttoning and sliding them down over her hips. She’s breathtaking. Her body is soft and inviting, her skin warm beneath my hands. My fingers brush over the curve of her stomach and she shifts slightly. Her eyes meet mine.
“You’re beautiful,” I say, my voice low and sure.
A shy smile tugs at her lip, her hands finding the hem of my shirt. She pulls it over my head, her fingers trailing over my chest and down my abs. The way she looks at me makes me feel like I’m the only man in the world.
I strip down to my boxer briefs, the heat between us growing with every passing second. When I pull her into my arms, the feel of her skin against mine sends a surge of electricity through me.
I lower her gently onto the bed, my lips finding hers again. I kiss down her neck, across her collarbone, and over the swell of her breasts. I take my time, letting her soft gasps guide me as I explore every inch of her with my mouth.
When I reach her stomach, I pause, pressing a lingering kiss there before continuing lower. She trembles beneath me, her fingers tangling in my hair as I settle between her thighs.
I look up at her, holding her gaze as I kiss the sensitive skin of her inner thighs. “Relax,” I murmur, my hands resting on her hips.
She exhales shakily, her body arching slightly as I take her in my mouth. One long taste at first, letting her adjust, learning what makes her moan. I run my tongue through her fold and up to the tight bundle of nerves at the top.
“Jasper…” she moans.
Her hips buck against me as I insert two fingers inside of her and reach for a spot that I know will set her off. It doesn’t take long before her breathing quickens, her hands gripping the sheets as she gasps my name. I keep going, determined to push her over the edge, and when she finally falls apart, it’s like a wave crashing against the shore —powerful, unrelenting, and utterly beautiful.
I watch her come down, her chest rising and falling as she catches her breath, a blissful smile on her lips. Seeing her like this, completely undone, is the most incredible thing I’ve ever witnessed.
When her eyes flutter open and meet mine, I can’t help but grin. “You’re amazing,” I say, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
“So are you,” she whispers, pulling me up for another kiss.
Avery
My body is still trembling, my breath coming in shallow gasps. I’ve never felt this alive, every nerve humming, every inch alight under his touch.
His face is inches away from mine. His eyes are dark, searching mine, and the way he looks at me makes my chest ache in the best way.
“Jasper,” I whisper, my voice shaky but sure. I reach up, letting my fingers skim over the strong line of his jaw before pulling his closer so my lips can brush against his ear. “I want you.”
I feel the tension ripple through his body, the sharp inhale of his breath. He pulls back slightly, his gaze locking with mine as if he’s checking, making sure I mean it. I nod, my fingers tracing the planes of his shoulders, his chest, and his ridiculous abs.
He doesn’t hesitate. In one smooth motion, he rises to his knees and hooks his thumbs under the waistband of his boxer briefs, sliding them down and tossing them aside. My eyes follow the movement, heat pooling low in my belly as I take in every inch of him.
He leans over the edge of the bed, reaching for his pants on the floor. His movements are quick but deliberate as he pulls a condom from his wallet. He glances at me again, his eyes holding the same quiet holding question, and I smile softly, nodding.
Jasper rolls the condom on and shifts over me, his hands bracing on either side of my head. When he lowers himself, our bodies align, and I gasp at the intensity of the connection. He moves slowly at first, tender and deliberate, his lips brushing mine, his forehead resting against me.
“You okay?” he murmurs, his voice low and rough.
“Perfect,” I whisper, wrapping my legs around him to pull him closer.
The pace shifts gradually, tenderness giving way to urgency, every thrust sending sparks of pleasure through me. His grip on my hips tightens, and I cling to him, my nails grazing his back as we lose ourselves in each other.
He groans my name, the sound rough and unrestrained, and it sends me spiraling. My head falls back, and his lips find my throat, his breath hot against my skin as we move together, hard and fast, like we’re chasing something we can’t name but need more than anything.
The world outside fades. The only sounds are the soft creak of the bed, the slide of skin against skin, and our mingled breaths. Time seems to stretch, every moment more vivid, more intense than the last, until finally, everything crashes over us in a wave of release that leaves me trembling and breathless beneath him.
He collapses beside me, his arm draping over my waist as we both struggle to catch our breath. I turn my head to look at him, my heart still racing, and the way he smiles at me —sated and unguarded— makes my chest ache all over again.
I reach out, brushing a strand of damp hair from his forehead, and he catches my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm. “You astonish me,” he murmurs, his voice low and filled with something that makes my heart skip.
I smile, brushing my fingers through his hair. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
He pulls me closer, his warmth enveloping me as I rest my head against his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat soothes me, each beat grounding me in the here and now. As his fingers trace lazy patterns along my back, I close my eyes, knowing with quiet certainty that this night will be etched into my heart forever.